jQuery DataTables: Delay search until 3 characters been typed OR a button clicked

Note: This was for a much earlier version of data tables, please see this answer for jQuery datatables v1.10 and above.

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This will modify the behaviour of the input box to only filter when either return has been pressed or there are at least 3 characters in the search:

$(function(){
  var myTable=$('#myTable').dataTable();

  $('.dataTables_filter input')
    .unbind('keypress keyup')
    .bind('keypress keyup', function(e){
      if ($(this).val().length < 3 && e.keyCode != 13) return;
      myTable.fnFilter($(this).val());
    });
});

You can see it working here: http://jsbin.com/umuvu4/2. I don't know why the dataTables folks are binding to both keypress and keyup, but I'm overriding both of them to stay compatible although I think keyup is sufficient.

Hope this helps!

Solution for version 1.10 -

After looking here for a complete answer and not finding one, I've written this (utilizing code from the documentation, and a few answers here).

The below code works to delay searching until at least 3 characters are entered:

// Call datatables, and return the API to the variable for use in our code
// Binds datatables to all elements with a class of datatable
var dtable = $(".datatable").dataTable().api();

// Grab the datatables input box and alter how it is bound to events
$(".dataTables_filter input")
    .unbind() // Unbind previous default bindings
    .bind("input", function(e) { // Bind our desired behavior
        // If the length is 3 or more characters, or the user pressed ENTER, search
        if(this.value.length >= 3 || e.keyCode == 13) {
            // Call the API search function
            dtable.search(this.value).draw();
        }
        // Ensure we clear the search if they backspace far enough
        if(this.value == "") {
            dtable.search("").draw();
        }
        return;
    });

Why not try this extended version of Stony's answer :)

var searchWait = 0;
var searchWaitInterval;
$('.dataTables_filter input')
.unbind('keypress keyup')
.bind('keypress keyup', function(e){
    var item = $(this);
    searchWait = 0;
    if(!searchWaitInterval) searchWaitInterval = setInterval(function(){
        if(searchWait>=3){
            clearInterval(searchWaitInterval);
            searchWaitInterval = '';
            searchTerm = $(item).val();
            oTable.fnFilter(searchTerm);
            searchWait = 0;
        }
        searchWait++;
    },200);

});

This will delay the search until the user has stopped typing.

Hope it helps.